A 5.0 magnitude earthquake has shaken parts of New South Wales, forcing schools to evacuate and causing damage to homes.
The epicentre of the quake was near the mining town of Denman, about 250km north of Sydney, at 10km deep just after 12pm.
The quake, which was initially reported as having a magnitude of 5.0, was later revised to 4.8.
There was also a 2.9 magnitude aftershock at 12.15pm, according to Geoscience Australia.
Over 2000 people reported that they felt the shake, stretching from Dubbo, all the Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, and even parts of Sydney including Mt Druitt, parts of the CBD, North Ryde and Kogarah.
There were also reports it was felt in the Blue Mountains, in Lithgow, Blackheath and Katoomba, as well as in Picton, west of Sydney.
“The tremor…it was a massive earthquake, the whole house rattled,” a listener told 2GB.
“The whole car was rocking around,” another said.
Muswellbrook South Public School sent a message to parents saying the students had been evacuated.
“Muswellbrook South Public School staff and students have safely evacuated to our top oval awaiting further instruction,” the message read.
St James Primary School also sent a message out to parents, saying the school had no power.
“We are all ok. Out on MacKillop [street]. We have no power so if you can please come and get your kids,” the message read.
Panels on the roof of a local Aldi fell, as did stock at a nearby Mitre 10.
The State Emergency Service in Muswellbrook has told NBN News that the earthquake broke the windows at the council depot, with multiple reports of damage to homes, including collapsed chimneys.
There have been six calls for assistance to the SES in both Muswellbrook and Maitland for minor damage.
Dams in the area were not compromised by the quake, NSW Police confirmed.
More than 2500 customers in Muswellbrook, Denman, Jerrys Plains, Bureen, Bengalla, have reported power outages to Ausgrid following the quake.
More to come.
